English Major Advice Please??

Parents Forum
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<p>I'm a junior at a university after transferring with an AA degree. I am unhappy with my choice of a communications major and want to change my major. Luckily most of my credits this semester are towards my minor so I can still change my major without delaying graduation (perhaps only a summer session). I'm thinking about doing an English studies major and was hoping for some advise :)</p>

<p>At my school, the English department offers English Studies degrees with emphasis in either film, literature, creative writing or technical communications or just a BS in technical communications. One adviser told me that professional writing/technical communications opens a lot of doors for graduates, however, I am not sold on just technical communications as it seems very narrow, and I feel she may be pushing that program because it is new. I'm more interested in the English Studies major with an emphasis in technical communications. That way I have some technical communications, but also have other doors open to me as well. I could also complete an internship before graduating in either May 2013 or the summer of 2013. </p>

<p>I enjoy English and history, but decided to go with English because my adviser told me it is more marketable than history and a few English majors in the workforce that I have talked to have landed jobs and agree that the degree is versatile which are both points I like. </p>

<p>In addition to the major, I would also be finishing a minor in international business and will learn Spanish as well. </p>

<p>I'm not entirely sure on a career route, though I would like to pursue library work. I currently work part time in a library and will have 6 years of experience by graduation. I would like to obtain a circulation position after graduation and then possibly pursue an MLS part time while working if I choose to become a reference librarian.
Other career options I've thought about are
-going overseas with a missions organization to do work.
-working in an office or nonprofit organization. I have very strong clerical skills (and enjoy it!), and I do have some coursework in nonprofits.
-Museums
-Etc. </p>

<p>Does this sound like a good plan? Just looking for some other perspectives and/or advice.
Thank you! :)</p>

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<p>All I can say is do as many internships as you can. Making connections is the best way to find a job. (father of an out of work English major)</p>

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<p>If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in library science, be sure that your undergraduate major allows you the chance to write a capstone thesis, which will demonstrate your ability to do research.</p>

<p>Reference librarians at universities generally have a strong subject background in an an academic discipline that reflects the research norms of a particular area (i.e. humanities, social sciences, sciences). Having a strong academic background in an academic subject area (one of the traditional liberal arts and sciences) can be a help.</p>

<p>I have known people with MLS degrees who ended up as archivists at hospital networks and large corporations. It is a versatile degree. You don’t have to work in a library.</p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

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<p>You are a junior and you state that you “will learn Spanish as well.” Would you be starting with no Spanish? There is nothing wrong with 3 semesters of Spanish (I would encourage it), but that will not, in all likelihood, give you sufficient Spanish to be considered proficient or bilingual. It certainly will not hurt!!! Especially if you already have another Latin-based language. But just keep it in perspective.</p>

<p>I recently interviewed two recent applicants for an editor position. One was a history major who had 4 years on the college newspaper, where he was editor his senior hear. One was an English lit grad. They were both perfectly qualified for the job and I made my choice based on other factors.</p>

<p>Do you love library science? Go for it!
If, upon graduation, you can do mission work/volunteer work, do it! You will never regret it, it may change your life, it may clarify your goals far beyond what you can know now, and it will NOT look bad on any resume.</p>

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<p>I’m glad to see that some are finally debunking the myth that English majors can’t get jobs. I agree that it’s a versatile degree. It sounds like you already have a variety of interests and skills that will be useful in the labor market. Versatility is key in today’s work force. Remember that it’s very likely the job you end up in doesn’t even exist yet, so keep your options open. Good Luck!</p>

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<p>@cookiemom - I’m an English major. With a job. Myth debunked!</p>

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<p>I’m an English major that never lacked for a job, and never had any difficulty in getting one.</p>

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<p>D1 has an MLS and is currently the director of a small municipal library. She earned her way through library school working in a law firm library, which was also a great help in getting her first professional job (as a reference librarian in a mid-sized public library). She knows she’ll never get rich, but she looks forward to going to work every day - might we all be so lucky.</p>

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<p>I have an English BA from a small LAC, and an MLS from Rutgers. I worked in the largest public library in NJ, as a programming coordinator for a large religious organization, and now I am a very happy school librarian. If you have the chance, get certified to work in schools (usually just a couple credits ) and you have that many more options. Who wouldn’t want to work in a library?</p>

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<p>I live near Washington DC. There are so many job openings for people with English degrees! Employers are looking for people who can write well. So move here.</p>

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<p>^^ So happy to hear this. My DD is an English major (concentration in professional writing). My theory, instilled in me by my father, is that if you choose a direction that you like, you will be willing to put in the work to be successful.</p>

<p>For the OP, I agree with other posters here. Get internships! They will help you clarify your goals (plus give you the work experience you need to land a job in the future).</p>

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<p>First off…sorry for my delay! Secondly…thank you all so much for your advice!! It is greatly appreciated and I knew many in the parents section would have the wisdom of experience and long term thinking I was hoping to find. Thank you!! :-)</p>

<p>@Erin’s Dad: Good to know. I do work part time in the library field I would like to enter eventually which I figure is a +, but yes an internship would be a good option. My school has it set up so I can take an internship for credit which would be a good option!</p>

<p>NJSue: Interesting! My major (English) does not currently have a research capstone, but I could do an independent writing class for an elective needed for the degree. Students are given quite a bit of leeway I believe and I could probably get one of the professors to help me set it up similar to a research capstone…I’ll have to look into that. </p>

<p>Mafool: I do understand that I would in no way be bilingual, extremely proficient, etc. However, I have been really wanting to learn Spanish and I figure a little bit of language experience might be a plus just from a customer service perspective (unless I’m off base here?). Even after graduating though, I want to keep up with my Spanish studies as it is a language I would eventually like to become fairly fluent in…That is nice to hear about the missions work; I’ll have to keep that in mind and mention it to my younger brother. And yes, I really do love library science :-)</p>

<p>cookiemom: It’s nice to hear English is so versatile and that I’m generating some skills you think will be useful (since while a degree is important…it isn’t everything in getting a job!). And that is true about versatility and the creation of new jobs :-)</p>

<p>@ URichmond and mini: Good to know!! :-)</p>

<p>@annasdad: I don’t want to be rich, I don’t live a grandiose lifestyle (and have no desire). I simply would like to make enough to live on (I’m working while going to a state school, so between work money, scholarships and grants I should graduate fairly debt free if not completely) and love going to work everyday. It’s good to hear your daughter loves her job so much! </p>

<p>@greenbutton: That is good to know! I didn’t realize that was part of the MLS (Or an option). I’m not sure if that varies state to state (I heard in some states you need teaching credentials to work in a school, but perhaps not all states), so that is definitely something I will check into. Thanks! </p>

<p>@KLH720: Haha, I might! Though in reality I would like to stay in the midwest area if at all possible. I’ve been born and raised in MN and really enjoy it here. </p>

<p>@LinyMom: Your father sounds wise :slight_smile: I’ll definitely be keeping that mind</p>

<p>TO EVERYBODY: Thank you so much for all of the advice, feedback, insights and encouragement! I appreciate all that you have said and for taking time out of your busy days to help me :slight_smile: I appreciate this a lot! Thank you.</p>

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<p>wow. </p>

<p>Thunderously, I rest my case.</p>